What's Disney Doing? Let's Ask Brickey - The WDW News Today Podcast: Episode 38

[@digitalportraitist]

These two are a match made in heaven brothers from different Mothers. You two need your own show!!!!

[@smeather6161]

Brickety does Disney design best. Genuinely passionate and expertly knowledgeable. You're lucky to have him as a guest!

[@darcief8746]

I really enjoy these conversations! I hope WDWNT can make them a semi regular feature. Thanks to both Eric and Brickey!

[@toddw8396]

It’s nice that these podcasts are also available as “regular” audio only podcasts…great for anytime you have to be driving a while and want something good to listen to.

[@karencardoza5579]

I could listen to this all day! Thanks again for bringing Brickey back. 😊

[@Sara_V_05]

Another awesome episode with Brickey!! Thank you both. And it’s exciting to hear that Brickey has been researching deeper into the WDW stuff; I love Disneyland, but World is my “home” park and I’d love to see more WDW on his channel. Have a great week, guys!

[@ckbarry]

Yay! 🎉 Brickey and Erik - headed out for a drive. Couldn’t be happier to have this to listen to on the drive. Thanks to both of you

[@deputydisney]

Brickey will be part of this team in the next few months. Bet on that.

[@EnzaDam]

Great show gentleman!! Bricky is my favorite DL channel and I’m loving his WDW videos this week

[@Katsfl]

The conversation flows great between these 2! Great episode. Thanks guys!!

[@darrenkwalsh]

Appreciate both of you taking the time to have a thoughtful interview. Hope you continue to do this quarterly!

[@JeffA_]

Always fun to hear and see a great East/West Disney deep dive. Thanks

[@shashona3084]

Another outstanding chat with Brickey. These are so enjoyable and love the deep dive of all things Disney.

[@Nonfiction79]

I will never understand why WDW gets the short end of the stick compared to any of the other Disney Resorts. For Magic Kingdom being the most visited theme park in the world it seems like it gets the leftovers from other parks.

[@Dive-Bar-Casanova]

Good take but understand WDW has investments no one sees. For example of many examples WDW is mostly solar powered and since day one they handle & treat their own waste water and sewage. The company and parks are growing stale trying to hold the stock at over $100, but now realized more investment is sorely needed and it's coming. Personal empire builder Chapek backed the company into amusement hell when it should have been in rolling forward into theme park heaven. Going to take a long time to correct all that nonsense.

[@spost1986]

I agree, but on the other hand: why should they? Why should they invest in the most visited theme park? People are already going to it and spending money, so what benefit would there be? From a business perspective - maximizing revenue and minimizing expenses - there’s not much reason to invest if people are still giving you money.

[@captainmaerd]

Orlando has long been established as a vacation destination. They know people are going to come anyway. While WDW has its fair share of locals, Disneyland and the other parks have to pull from a more local audience. The need for investment is higher to give locals a reason to come back.

[@nathanielskiba6366]

​@@spost1986this is the answer. If it's already the most visited, they don't clearly are doing whatever they need to and doing more won't benefit them. They're already super busy and making money hand over fist

[@happiestplace3754]

Ha! 😂 I just posted a comment last week about WDW people always cry about "getting the short end of the stick" compared to Disneyland. 😂😂😂 Disneyland forever baby!!!

[@charlenebevilacqua3819]

Love listening to these two men discussing Disney. Great guest!

[@digitalportraitist]

What an amazing discussion!!!!! Pls do more with Brickey very soon!!

[@Slimkati3]

Aw, I ran into Brickey in April at Disney Land and he was extremely cool - maybe it was the mutual ginger respect, but we had a great chat. Love to see him pop up!

[@timschultz2806]

The only two Disney KZbin channels I subscribe to in one podcast!

[@rudiprusa5288]

Great show! Lots of neat back and forth and some fun stories.

[@KaiyaKramer]

Hey it’s Brickey! Really enjoy seeing yall at WDWNT interviewing Brickey! Thanks Eric great interview!

[@Oddernod]

We need a BrickeyCast - love hearing the designers point of view on all things Disney.

[@Flyoff1234]

Love this conversation with HeyBrickey!

[@Jarvel5]

Great episode. Your conversations just seem to flow perfectly into one another. It's like im sitting at a lunch table with you two!

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

1:07:00 I did something similar during the pandemic, I put a big fan next to my TV, pulled up ride videos, and sat on my rocking footstool for motion. What really made it fun too, was watching old ride videos, like original Pirates of the Caribbean, or something like the Beauty and the Beast ride from Tokyo.

[@michellee1190]

#Relatable

[@btverse]

Great to See Brickey back, thanks Eric!

[@veromikes]

I met Brickey in Epcot recently. Total class act, was super cool, took pics& took time to chat.

[@squidward_tortelllini]

i look forward to this every week, instantly became my favorite podcast

[@mattrrissman]

Great job on this episode! Brickey is a great guest and genuinely enjoyed your conversation. ❤

[@marxdesign]

These are great vids with Bricky and Eric 🧐🤓😎🥸🥳

[@mickeysmyspiritanimal223]

Yay Brickey and Eric! Must see podcast! 🥰🎉🥳

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

56:00 I remember that ad! Seeing Mickey standing on Spaceship Earth always made me uneasy (still does really). There's an article or interview out there with the woman who was in the suit, and big kudos to her having the guts to go up there.

[@willw9818]

I always find Brickey very interesting to listen to. Keep him coming back.

[@yvettechristensen8315]

I absolutely love Brickey's insight! He has made me appreciate more at Disneyland than any other vlogger. Great chat.

[@heatinconnu2406]

Hey brickey is the best podcast co host you have he is truly the GOAT

[@lianeharper8106]

48:25 Pre-Covid, my elderly mother took a misstep and fell near where the Christmas tree lives in Disneyland. My head spun with how quickly there were cast members, admins and a transport cart out there to care for her. I wish I could say it would be like that today…

[@seanstein8313]

49:00 great stuff right here. As a producer in the music industry, I know what you mean Brickey.

[@michellee1190]

Hey Brickey! You may find this interesting, so here goes... In video game parlance, that "chill" mode where they're waiting around is called "Idle Animation", and sometimes there are "twitch" animations that are randomly triggered to provide a little variety. (Like how Sonic eventually starts tapping his foot if you leave him alone, and sometimes while he's doing that he checks his watch or produces and eats a chili dog.)

[@himynameiscorey]

The fact Tiana’s didn’t incorporate the “magic” of turning into a frog means they dropped the ball to me, but Disney can still redeem themselves if they build another Splash Mountain-type ride that is themed to Emperor’s New Groove, complete with an animal-turning potion scene! 🙏 One can dream, can’t they? 😊

[@bradrriddle]

As a tall person I couldn't disagree more about the Splash Mountain ride vehicles. The toboggan-style seating arrangement is a GOD-SEND. If you don't like sitting with people, do single rider in the back row. Toboggan-style allows for far more leg room (and therefore comfort) than the cramped side by side style ride vehicles.

[@QuatroAtYale]

Wow, my two favorite commentators about Disney!

[@kingcastle8465]

great video!!! could listen all day

[@Ronaldl2350]

Thank you for another great podcast!

[@lydnut]

Yes! Brickey is back!

[@gregjankowski2115]

Great show I learned something, Brickey and others still believe in the magic

[@jackiejlw5493]

Oh my goodness, Gertie’s tail is *very happy* to see Brickey. 😅 Great discussion! I wish Test Track wasn’t an ad. I love Radiator Springs and it was a huge disappointment for me to ride TT my first time to Epcot. Also, I just returned from a Disneyland trip… why is Churro technology missing at WDW? CA Churros are hot, fresh, crispy and soft. Anyway, would love WDW to improve upon their food/drink offerings. Thanks guys.

[@Operation_Latte_Thunder]

Brickey is the man!

[@lisaguidi728]

Eric🎉 I look forward to these podcasts! Thank you!

[@davyannajones]

I love the magic bands. I’m all in on it. It feels cool, I can’t explain it. It feels futuristic and I can get different bands that match my outfit or mood. I want more magic band integration.

[@SusanStypa]

Ohhh Brickey…I understand! I was born and have lived my whole life in Buffalo, NY….i have been in your father in laws footsteps many times 😊🤣😊🤣 and yes, I still love the Buffalo Bills! Hey, I think this is our year! 👍

[@HeyBrickey]

Go Bills ❤

[@lindamemo5224]

They need to be open 9 am to 11 pm and have from 11 to 9 to do maintenance and inspections. The early entry and late closure gives them next to no downtime for that

[@karebear3152]

Does Brickey mean 1957 for Disneyland's tomorrowland? Walt most certainly was not in the parks in 1967. Walt died in 1966. I'm going to guess this was a slip of the tongue and he just kept saying the wrong year... Also, LOL "Avenger's Hallway". I love it.

[@scooby-tm8yk]

i know 3 families with young children and they were talking to me about their orlando vacation plans. none of them are planning to go disney except "maybe" one day out of a week. and universal resort hotels are cheaper as well. wasting time building that new DVC polynesian resort is going to cost them. when traveling the world has become the norm, DVC feels like a timeshare scam for most people.

[@neko-chan6145]

Great that you got him on again

[@megmcguigan3857]

We are flying in from the UK in February to stay at Universal for 8 nights. We chose Universal because the hotels are so much cheaper and you get more bang for your buck. We will be hitting at least one Disney park but it won't be our focus.

[@MagglesScarab]

My family chooses universal because it feels like a vacation and not an exhausting money drain.

[@13ishAbbie]

Universal is much more fun than Disney. Disney has turned itself into a “job”. 😔☹️☹️

[@himynameiscorey]

Yes they are cheaper hotels, but the soulless boxes that are their hotels make a world of a difference. The charm to a Disney hotel is unbeatable, hence their pricing. However I do love how quick bus transportation is at Universal resorts, and if I am doing Halloween Horror Nights, there’s no better stay than Universal.

[@carries.213]

I think one of the things that we have to remember with. The original splash mountain rides at disneyland and disney world, The disneyland one came first, and so when they got around to adding it to disney world, they made updates to the ride. They made the log bigger to hold more people. They then added more little details. As you go through the ride and you have other things to look at at some of the beginning parts while you are outside. I will say there is something about the Disneyland version. When it comes to the actual log ride part of the ride. I think it moves faster and quicker, making it a bit more thrilling. The bad part of this is you miss a lot of the details because it's going by so quickly. The visuals and the story in the disney world version of splash mountain was definitely better, but I will still stand on my hill that the log ride part is better at disneyland because it's more thrilling.

[@michellee1190]

I not only did not know that EPCOT was a Card Walker vanity project... I am only vaguely aware of the fact that Card Walker existed and was involved in Disney in some way.

[@Dive-Bar-Casanova]

Disney by Design Brickey shows a unique side of Disney's awesome architecture from so many angles & unique prospective. Our kids lovingly call him "Thug Disney" with all the tats.

[@bethkelly9206]

Always great to see Brickey!

[@JoyleiaJo]

I ♡ Brickey!

[@thelostant]

About 20 years ago a flag pole at my elementary school fell over and killed a kindergartener. The light pole thing is a very big deal

[@earlwatt7677]

It's a bit unfair to say people made up their minds on Tiana's Bayou Adventure three years ago. I am a Splash Mountain fan. My absolute favorite. But I held out hope because Princess and the Frog is one of my favorite Disney movies. To overlook the missed opportunities with the revamp can't simply be discounted. Going to look for band members just isn't a grand adventure. Why not just have her meet some animals on the way to the grocery store? It could have been so much better, and not tying in Dr. Faucilier is simply inexcusable. Yes, he's on the other side, but that's how you do it! I was expecting something so much better than this. Now the drop is just something along the way.

[@StarViewer68]

Disney World and Disneyland have rides that either showcased scenes from the movie or a condensed version of it, such as the Pinocchio dark ride, the Snow White rides and the Little Mermaid ride. I wonder why Disney did a Princess and the Frog ride that didn’t follow either of the above formulas.

[@JesseAdventure]

Hope you bring back Brickey real soon

[@mrs.donglover2586]

My perspective comes from family vacation once a year, and I personally will be doing three park Universal, no WDW, Disneyland Resort when I can afford it. There isn’t much enticing me to WDW - which is good as WDW can be left for those who appreciate it.

[@MrMaxRebos]

Why did disney stop the 1 hour early entry? Why did disney do away with 11pm MK closings and 10pm Epot, every day during the summer.

[@toddw8396]

I was also in the minority of people looking forward to the 3-story UFO-like Festival Pavilion structure at EPCOT (with landscaped rooftop). Since so much of the EPCOT overhaul announced at D23 was cancelled, EPCOT fans were left (rightfully) disappointed. I don’t think a 5th gate will be announced at D23, but would be excited for a “real announcement” for a villains land.

[@indy968]

How is Space Mountain in the center of Tomorrow land. Is it on the south end. Nemo and Autopia are the center

[@HeyBrickey]

When you walk through tomorrowland the way it bends Space Mountain is in the dead center at the end of the path. Autopia & Star Tours are the edges.

[@JBX302]

Love this.

[@13ishAbbie]

Spaceship Earth is drastically in need of refurbishment!!!

[@zaklex3165]

I think the big key is if as people are talking about, D'Amato takes over for Iger when he leaves again...that could see a huge increase in spending for the Parks division.

[@u2bemark]

would be interesting to guess which cut money from Epcot went to what bad Disney film/show. That is, they cut this.. to buy that...

[@himynameiscorey]

Ah you mean like every single overly-budgeted Star Wars show in recent years

[@u2bemark]

@@himynameiscorey exactly... that is.. they need money for the next big Hollywood failure.. so what gets cut from their plans? Like when they decided to not build the new planned stuff at Epcot.. what lost money that caused that? Etc etc.

[@koopa159]

Wait, Space Mountain isn’t in the center of Tomorrowland at Disneyland, isn’t it to the right? Is brickey thinking of the old carousel of progress building? Loved the episode though, great to see you guys do another episode together.

[@michaelflaherty3202]

There’s some kind of backstage building directly south of it and another to the east. The train goes through them.

[@greyroom6730]

Right, Space Mountain isn't in the center. It's to the right in the land.

[@himynameiscorey]

Carousel of Progress on the far left, connects on the right to a building that Peoplemover used to run through, which houses PizzaPort, then to the right and above that is the queue area for Space Mountain, followed by the defunct Tomorrowland Theater, and Space Mountain on the second level placed behind that.

[@canis9178]

Very enjoyable!

[@michellee1190]

As a lifelong Disneyland enthusiast, I have to agree with Eric. I've thought, since the Rocket Rods were closed that they should just build safety tunnels to Space Mountain and re-do the whole place. As much as I loved Tomorrowland back in the day. I took my Houston-born partner to Disneyland for his first trip and... I just felt really bad about Tomorrowland. It's so sad.

[@larryg3038]

Eric and Brickey, I would love to hear your thoughts on the American Heartland Theme Park project.

[@TomCordless]

Brickey is a great co-host with good insight from the west coast and from a design point of view. It does sound like he is breathing into the mic when he isn’t talking though and it is a little distracting.

[@Jingles8302]

We need Brickey on a recurring segment! STAT!

[@JoeCosentino]

Fun show

[@michellee1190]

I am also wearing that glorious shirt! It's comfy!

[@gabrieldally6044]

Personally, I've always preferred Disneyland Splash Mountain. The seating arrangement is an actual log flume rather than a boat ride and I feel like this story was conveyed much better than Florida's. Also It always made more sense in Critter country, The Hill looked prettier, It was maintained better, And you got way more wet

[@michellee1190]

Don't feel bad about never seeing the depth in one of those "magic eye" pictures y'all. I remember when I finally got one to work and it was really disappointing.

[@seanstein8313]

This was a banger

[@ItsameBS]

Cars Land and Pandora were answers to Potter. Galaxy Edge was built when Disney owned Lucasfilm and had a trilogy to tie it to.

[@davyannajones]

A 10 year old isn’t going to build that virtual theme park, a multi billion dollar conglomerate is.

[@zaklex3165]

Never cared what the temperature was for a log/boat ride that gets you wet...you dry off fast enough as is.

[@EPiche09]

Are folks still going to the Disney Water Parks? Seems like they could do a lot to update that Blizzard Beach.b

[@gregjankowski2115]

test track walls up now, never no walls

[@davyannajones]

Going to a Disney park in Air Jordan’s is a terrible idea

[@michaelflaherty3202]

This show just keeps pulling further ahead of the other Disney podcasts.

[@eggsntoast1]

see Brickey, just like I said: you don't talk like a newscaster in real life.

[@AHop0211]

No to new lands. Just take care of what they currently have and update areas like almost all of Tomorrow Land.

[@eunoia86]

Definitely wanted to love this ride. Then saw the video and how lazily Disney attempted to re-skin a timeless ride. Came here to see you guys call them out on such a sad effort …. and yet ….

[@davyannajones]

It is not impossible to acquire thousands of acres.

[@il100374]

Any updates on DAS?

[@donaldduck9046]

Love you guys

[@u2bemark]

Eric and Brickey seem to have better rapore than Eric and Tom, IMHO. Tom seems to cut off Eric too often... sometimes I see Eric taking a drink rather than verbally responding to Tom cutting off his opinion. Clearly a Tom problem based on how Eric is comfortable with other people.

[@JS-be8ll]

Oh god, you guys aren't reading EPIC universe right at ALL. Do you talk to real people? Not just crazy disney fans? Guys, universal right NOW, is an add on a day, or two and go to WDW for the main part of your trip. EPIC completely changes the calculations... it makes Universal a destination in itself, so many people I know or have talked to are looking at this now as an alternative vacation destination for their normal WDW trip. You can do a week long trip to Universal after this. Disney isn't going to benefit at all from this, they are going to lose.

[@WDWNT]

We have said repeatedly that we think Epic will do well, but overall tourism in Orlando will increase, and Disney may also benefit. It may also take away from their other parks, in particular Studios, which has done little to increase interest lately. They will likely try to spread out the surge by a ticketing scheme. The idea that Disney is going to be empty once Epic opens is unlikely to be true.

[@JS-be8ll]

@WDWNT That's not what you said in this podcast, and no (sane) person think WDW will be empty. But you,in multiple ways, seemed to suggest WDW will benefit from EPIC, that people will now add on a day or two at Uni from their WDW trip, or that, as you noted this will increase general tourism to the area and WDW will take some of that action. I think you are wrong on basically all accounts and are out of touch with the vast majority of tourists / WDW / Orlando travelers. You think this will make Universal what Universal already is, it won't, it will make Universal a complete destination, the way WDW now is. WDW might get some ticket sales from those Uni guests, but it's going to be those folks who would have otherwise spent 4 - 7 days at WDW, and booked a Uni trip that year -instead-. WDW isn't going to gain here, they will have lost a whole vacation and still got 1 day of park entry. Uni isn't going to drive a ton of NEW people to the region, there is already more than enough there, Uni is primarily going to eat into existing Orlando (and more specifically WDW) guests. Hell, even DVCers are talking about doing Uni only trips, but sleeping in their dvc accommodations. The biggest pixie pounders in my social groups are talking about how they'll skip disney for a year (but will it just be a year?) for Uni. The number of people I've heard or seen say basically, now I can book a (just) Universal trip, and then usually some comment about how much more affordable it is, or how Disney has gotten so bad lately. This is a game CHANGER, you guys think it's still going to be the same game.

[@himynameiscorey]

WDW is still the #1 destination in Orland. Me personally, I see Epic taking a strong lion’s share of the crowds, but many are there for Disney, and if Universal doesn’t crucially update their flagship park, many will skip that Universal Park to make time and budget for the new one.

[@JS-be8ll]

@@himynameiscorey WDW absolutely is the #1 destination in Orlando, no question. And that's why this is going to eat WDW crowds. I don't know what "share" of the crowds its going to take, but that share is going to come from WDW, and its going to be significant. This isn't going to bring a massive new influx of Orlando tourists - if you aren't already going, you aren't suddenly going to be interested because one new park opened. But, if you are already going, this is going to make Universal a far more likely destination, and its going to change how people look at Uni vacations, from usually 2 - 4 days max, to 5, 6, 7 day trips? That's coming out of WDW's pockets.

[@RetroRed101]

There is the Gaylord right outside DC

[@13ishAbbie]

My review….TBA is okay…..not better and not worse than Splash. Just Meh…..